Toilet ventilation apparatus

ABSTRACT

The toilet ventilation apparatus is mounted within a toilet. The toilet ventilation apparatus is an exhaust fan system that draws air from the tank of the toilet into a piped conduit that discharges the directly into the DWV that by passes the gas trap. The toilet ventilation apparatus comprises an intake pipe, an exhaust fan, an intake valve, an exhaust hose, and a control. The exhaust fan and the control are mounted in the intake pipe. The intake valve is mounted on an end of the intake pipe. The exhaust hose connects the output of the

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional application claims priority to provisional application 201690017 that was filed in Australia on Jan. 7, 2016.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of water supplies and sewage including water closets with flushing devices, more specifically, a ventilation device for a lavatory.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The toilet ventilation apparatus is an air ventilation system mounted within a toilet. The toilet is further defined with a tank, a bowl, an overflow pipe and a gas trap. The toilet is further connected to residential or commercial domestic plumbing system is further defined with a supply side and a DWV (drainage, waste, and vent). The toilet ventilation apparatus is an exhaust fan system that draws air from the bowl through the flush pipe and tank overflow of the toilet and discharges this air via a piped conduit directly into the DWV in a manner that bypasses the gas trap. The advantages of this system include, but are not limited to: 1) the toilet ventilation apparatus is easily installed into a standard toilet tank; and, 2) the toilet ventilation apparatus does not require the installation of dedicated air handling ductwork because the system uses the ventilation already existing within the DWV.

These together with additional objects, features and advantages of the toilet ventilation apparatus will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In this respect, before explaining the current embodiments of the toilet ventilation apparatus in detail, it is to be understood that the toilet ventilation apparatus is not limited in its applications to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustration. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concept of this disclosure may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the toilet ventilation apparatus.

It is therefore important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the toilet ventilation apparatus. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. They are meant to be exemplary illustrations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a back view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a detail view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure across 6-6 as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments of the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.

Detailed reference will now be made to one or more potential embodiments of the disclosure, which are illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7.

The toilet ventilation apparatus 100 (hereinafter invention) comprises an intake pipe 101, an exhaust fan 102, an air admittance valve 103, an exhaust hose 104, and a control 105. The control 105 is mounted external to the toilet 141, normally in the ceiling. The exhaust fan 102 is mounted in the intake pipe 101. The intake valve 103 is mounted on an end of the intake pipe 101. The exhaust hose 104 connects the output of the exhaust fan 102 to the DWV 147. The invention 100 is an air ventilation system mounted within a toilet 141. The toilet 141 is further defined with a tank 142, a bowl 143, an overflow pipe 144, flush pipe 150 and a gas trap 145. The water level 146 of the tank 142 is defined as the level at which the overflow pipe 144 diverts water 174 from the tank 142 into the bowl 143. The toilet 141 is further connected to a residential or commercial domestic plumbing system that is further defined with a supply side 148 and a DWV 147 (drainage, waste, and vent). The invention 100 is an exhaust fan 102 system that draws air through the tank 142 of the toilet 141 via the overflow pipe 144 and the flush pipe 150 into a piped conduit 104 that discharges the drawn air directly into the DWV 147 in a manner that bypasses the gas trap 145. The advantages of this system include, but are not limited to: 1) the invention 100 is easily installed into a standard toilet 141; and, 2) the invention 100 does not require the installation of dedicated air handling ductwork because the system uses the ventilation already existing within the DWV 147.

The theory of operation of the invention 100 is described in this paragraph. The control 105 senses when a person enters the bathroom. Upon sensing a person entering the bathroom, the invention 100 starts the operation of the exhaust fan 102 and, if necessary, opens the intake valve or air admittance valve (AAV) 103. The exhaust fan 102 removes the air, drawn from the toilet bowl 143 via the flush line 150 connected to orifices under the rim of the toilet bowl 143, contained within the tank 142 and pumps the removed air via the exhaust line 104 to the DWV 147. In doing this, the exhaust fan 102 creates a partial negative pressure (or vacuum) within the tank 142 and in turn in the toilet bowl. The negative air pressure created within the tank 142 then draws air from the bowl 143 via the toilet tank overflow line 144 and flush pipe 150 into the tank 142 from whence the drawn air will be further evacuated into the DWV 147. A short period use of the toilet 141 and after the flushing cycle of the toilet 141, the control 105 stops the operation of the exhaust fan 102 and, if necessary, closes the intake valve 103

The intake pipe 101 is a readily and commercially available pipe that is further defined with a first end 161 and a second end 162. The exhaust fan 102 is a readily and commercially available fan that is sized such that the exhaust fan 102 will fit within the intake pipe 101. It is preferred that the exhaust fan 102 be a low voltage fan such as those that are used in cooling computers. Within this context, low voltage is taken to mean a DC voltage of less than or equal to 12 volts. The intake valve 103 performs a check valve type function. During operation, the intake valve 103 is intended to allow gas to flow into the intake pipe 101 only while the exhaust fan 102 is running. The intake valve 103 is also intended to prevent gas from escaping the DWV 147 into the tank 142 when the exhaust fan 102 is not running. The exhaust hose 104 is a commercially available hose or pipe that connects the output of the exhaust fan 102 to the DWV 147. Methods to attach hoses or pipe are well known and documented in the mechanical and plumbing arts and are beyond the scope of this disclosure. In the first potential embodiment of the disclosure, this connection is formed using a DWV 147 hole formed within the toilet 141 that provides access to the DWV 147 side of the gas trap 145. The DWV 147 hole is sealed with the same hardware used to seal the connection of the supply side 148 water 174 source to the ballcock 171 of the toilet 141. The control 105 is a switching apparatus that is used to initiate the operation of the exhaust fan 102 and, if necessary, the intake valve 103.

To install the invention 100 to the toilet 141, the second end 162 of the intake pipe 101 is fitted with a first connector 113. The first connector 113 is a cap that closes the second end 162 of the intake pipe 101. The first connector 113 further comprises a first threaded connection 114. The first threaded connection 114 is a commercially available connection that is adapted to fit into a seal an inlet aperture 149 of the tank 142. The first threaded connection 114 is a hollow connector such that air evacuated by the exhaust fan 102 will pass through the first threaded connection 114. The inlet aperture 149 is an aperture 149 formed within the tank 142 to allow for a connection to the supply side 148 water 174 source to feed water into the bowl 143. Toilet 141 tanks 142 are typically fitted with a plurality of inlet aperture 149 to accommodate the variable nature of the location of suitable supply side 148 water 174 sources. The first threaded connection 114 is selected such that: 1) the first threaded connection 114 can be installed and sealed into the inlet aperture 149; and 2) the first connector 113 can be screwed onto the first threaded connection 114 in much the same manner that a ballcock 171 is screwed on the supply side 148 water 174 connection. The span of the center axis of the intake pipe 101 is selected such that when the second end 162 of the intake pipe 101 is attached to the first threaded connection 114 the first end 161 of the intake pipe 101 is above the water level 146. The exhaust fan 102 is installed into the intake pipe 101 such that air will be pumped from the first end 161 of the intake pipe 101 to the second end 162 of the intake pipe 101. The intake valve 103 is attached to the first end 161 of the intake pipe 101. The exhaust hose 104 attaches the first threaded connection 114 to the DWV 147 as described elsewhere in this disclosure.

The control system 105 further comprises a sensor 111 and a switch 112. As shown in FIG. 7, the sensor 111 detects the person entering the toilet (bathroom) and, in response to the detection closes the switch 112 thus providing power from an externally provided power source 152 to the exhaust fan 102 and, if necessary, the intake valve 103.

In the first potential embodiment of the disclosure, the intake valve 103 is an electrically operated solenoid valve 172. The exhaust hose 104 is a readily and commercially available braided toilet 141 supply line. The exhaust fan 102 is rated to move at least 80 cubic feet per minute. The control 105 is a readily and commercially available infrared sensor installed to detect the motion of a person approaching the toilet 141. The second potential embodiment of the disclosure is identical to the first potential embodiment of the disclosure with the following exception: the intake valve 103 is a commercially available passive air admittance valve (AAV) 173.

The invention 100 operates automatically once installed. It is recommended that an inverted pipe connected to atmosphere but partially submerged at full tank level 151 be installed in conjunction with the system to prevent inadvertent vacuum locks during flushing. This inverted pipe is essentially a vacuum breaker, but allows a vacuum to be created when the toilet tank is full of water.

The following definitions were used in this disclosure:

Check Valve: As used in this disclosure, a check valve is a valve that permits the flow of fluid or gas in a single direction. In this instance it can either be an air admittance valve (AAV) or a solenoid valve.

DWV: As used in this disclosure, DWV is an acronym for drainage, waste, and vent. With a residential plumbing system, DWV refers to the plumbing sub-network that transports waste water out of the residence to an appropriate waste water handling system.

Fan: As used in this disclosure, a fan is a mechanical device with rotating blades that is used to create a flow or current of air.

Pipe: As used in this disclosure, the term pipe is used to describe a rigid hollow cylinder. While pipes that are suitable for use in this disclosure are often used to transport or conveys fluids or gases, the purpose of the pipes in this disclosure are structural. In this disclosure, the terms inner diameter of a pipe and outer diameter are used as they would be used by those skilled in the plumbing arts.

Solenoid: As used in this disclosure, a solenoid is a cylindrical coil of electrical wire that generates a magnetic field that can be used to mechanically move a shaft made of a magnetic core.

Solenoid Valve: As used in this disclosure, a solenoid valve is an electromechanically controlled valve that is used to control fluid or gas flow. A two port solenoid valve opens or closes to fluid flow through the valve portion of the solenoid valve. A three port solenoid valve switched fluid or gas flow between a first port and a second port to either feed or be fed from a third port.

Supply Side: As used in this disclosure, the supply side refers to the plumbing sub-network within a residential plumbing system that provisions fresh water for use within the residence.

Switch: As used in this disclosure, a switch is an electrical device that starts and stops the flow of electricity through an electric circuit by completing or interrupting an electric circuit. The act of completing or breaking the electrical circuit is called actuation. Completing or interrupting an electric circuit with a switch is often referred to as closing or opening a switch respectively. Completing or interrupting an electric circuit is also often referred to as making or breaking the circuit respectively.

Air admittance valve (AAV): As used in this disclosure, an Air admittance valve (AAV) is a type of check valve that requires the use of gravity.

Threaded Connection: As used in this disclosure, a threaded connection is a type of fastener that is used to join a first tube shaped and a second tube shaped object together. The first tube shaped object is fitted with fitted with a first fitting selected from an interior screw thread or an exterior screw thread. The second tube shaped object is fitted with the remaining screw thread. The tube shaped object fitted with the exterior screw thread is placed into the remaining tube shaped object such that: 1) the interior screw thread and the exterior screw thread interconnect; and, 2) when the tube shaped object fitted with the exterior screw thread is rotated the rotational motion is converted into linear motion that moves the tube shaped object fitted with the exterior screw thread either into or out of the remaining tube shaped object. The direction of linear motion is determined by the direction of rotation.

Passive infrared sensor (PIS) switch: As used in this disclosure, a motion switch is a switch that is actuated by human movement.

Valve: As used in this disclosure, a valve is a device that is use to control the flow of a fluid (gas or liquid) through a pipe.

With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationship for the various components of the invention described above and in FIGS. 1 through 7 include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the invention.

It shall be noted that those skilled in the art will readily recognize numerous adaptations and modifications which can be made to the various embodiments of the present invention which will result in an improved invention, yet all of which will fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the following claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A ventilation device comprising: comprises an intake pipe, an exhaust fan, an intake valve, an exhaust hose, and a control; wherein the exhaust fan and the control are mounted in the intake pipe; wherein the intake valve is mounted on an end of the intake pipe; wherein the exhaust hose connects the output of the exhaust fan to a DWV; wherein the ventilation device mounts within a toilet; wherein the toilet is further defined with a tank, a bowl, an overflow pipe and a gas trap; wherein the water level of the tank is defined as the level at which the overflow pipe diverts water from the tank into the bowl; wherein the tank contains water; wherein when the overflow pipe allows air flow via the air line that exists between the bowl and the tank; wherein the air line is in fluid communication between the flush pipe and the toilet tank overflow pipe; wherein the toilet is further connected the DWV; wherein the ventilation device draws air through the tank of the toilet from the bowl via the overflow pipe and into the DWV in a manner that bypasses the gas trap.
 2. The ventilation device according to claim 1 wherein the control senses when a person enters the bathroom; wherein the exhaust fan removes the air contained within the tank and pumps the removed air to the DWV.
 3. The ventilation device according to claim 2 wherein the intake pipe is a cylindrical pipe that is further defined with a first end and a second end.
 4. The ventilation device according to claim 3 wherein the exhaust fan is sized such that the exhaust fan will fit within the intake pipe.
 5. The ventilation device according to claim 4 wherein the intake valve allows gas to flow into the intake pipe while the exhaust fan is running; wherein the intake valve prevent gas from escaping the DWV into the tank when the exhaust fan is not running.
 6. The ventilation device according to claim 5 wherein the exhaust hose connects the output of the exhaust fan to the DWV; wherein the exhaust hose is selected from the group consisting of a hose or a pipe.
 7. The ventilation device according to claim 6 wherein the control is a sensor switching apparatus; wherein the control initiates the operation of the exhaust fan.
 8. The ventilation device according to claim 7 wherein the second end of the intake pipe is fitted with a first connector; wherein the first connector is a cap that closes the second end of the intake pipe.
 9. The ventilation device according to claim 8 wherein the first connector further comprises a first threaded connection; wherein the first threaded connection installs into and seals an inlet aperture of the tank.
 10. The ventilation device according to claim 9 wherein the first threaded connection is a hollow connector such that air evacuated by the exhaust fan will pass through the first threaded connection.
 11. The ventilation device according to claim 10 wherein the first connector screws onto the first threaded connection.
 12. The ventilation device according to claim 11 wherein the span of the center axis of the intake pipe is selected such that when the second end of the intake pipe is attached to the first threaded connection the first end of the intake pipe is above the water level.
 13. The ventilation device according to claim 12 wherein the exhaust fan installs in the intake pipe such that air is pumped from the first end of the intake pipe to the second end of the intake pipe.
 14. The ventilation device according to claim 13 wherein the intake valve is attached to the first end of the intake pipe; wherein the exhaust hose attaches to the first threaded connection.
 15. The ventilation device according to claim 14 wherein the control system further comprises a sensor and a switch; wherein the sensor detects a person entering the bathroom; wherein in response to the detection closes the switch.
 16. The ventilation device according to claim 15 wherein the intake valve is an electrically operated solenoid valve.
 17. The ventilation device according to claim 16 wherein the control initiates the operation of the intake valve.
 18. The ventilation device according to claim 17 wherein the exhaust hose is braided toilet supply line; wherein the exhaust fan is rated to pump at least 80 cubic feet per minute; wherein the control is a tilt switch that is installed to detect the motion of the trip handle of the toilet; wherein the exhaust fan is a low voltage fan.
 19. The ventilation device according to claim 15 the intake valve is an air admittance valve.
 20. The ventilation device according to claim 19 wherein the exhaust hose is braided toilet supply line; wherein the exhaust fan is rated to pump at least 80 cubic feet per minute; wherein the control is a tilt switch that is installed to detect the motion of the trip handle of the toilet; wherein the exhaust fan is a low voltage fan. 